A man accused of murdering a business associate in a row over car rental debts said "it was him or me" in the moments after the fatal stabbing, a court has heard. Ben Wazabanga, 24, fatally wounded Ayowale Aladejana, 26, in the front garden of his home in Monson Road, New Cross, south London after a falling out over a business deal.
Wazabanga and his on-off partner Ronique Belfon, 23, are accused of murdering Mr Aladejana, after they had driven more than 50 miles with two small children in their car before the stabbing took place on August 2 last year. Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court previously, Wazabanga admitted "habitually" carrying a knife for the last seven years, and said he had a combat knife in his pocket as they headed to Mr Aladejana's south London home.
But he claims he acted in self-defence when using the weapon, while Belfon told the court that she heard her partner saying repeatedly when he returned to the car after the stabbing "it was him or me". Giving evidence on Thursday, Belfon told jurors she did not know Wazabanga was armed when they made the journey, and she believed they were trying to find Mr Aladejana "for a chat".
She told the court she saw Mr Aladejana holding a knife during the confrontation, and she says she only later saw Wazabanga's bloodied blade. Prosecutors say the stabbing happened when a "business arrangement had gone sour", after Wazabanga and Belfon had both financially contributed to Mr Aladejana's car rental business, A2M2.
Wazabanga had put up money for car repairs, while Belfon bought two Mercedes on finance to be used as part of the business. By the time of the stabbing, Wazabanga believed he was owed £3,000 while Belfon was being chased by bailiffs over unpaid fees on the cars, and it is said they were struggling to contact Mr Aladejana.
She told the court the trip to London was meant to be a day out, including seeing her aunt and going to a restaurant, but they also stopped by Mr Aladejana's home as she wanted to see if they could find the two Mercedes. "I had no idea," she said, when questioned about whether she knew Wazabanga was armed on the journey, before adding that she was "shocked" when she found out.
Prosecutor James Brown KC asked: "As far as you were concerned, a chat would take place between Mr Aladejana and Mr Wazabanga?" Belfon replied: "Yes, if we could find them." Mr Brown told her: "The prosecution say you knew Mr Wazabanga had that knife." Belfon replied: "That's what they say. I do disagree." The defendants, from Bedford, Bedfordshire, deny murder. The trial continues.
